Sonic Groove Podcast Adam X meets Mark Archer (Altern 8) - Sonic Groove Podcast SGX020
In this episode, Mark Archer takes us on his journey through his illustrious career in the music industry, from his early days in Stafford, UK, where he first dipped his toes into DJing and production, to signing with Blue Chip Records with Dean Meredith and releasing music under various aliases, including as one half of Bizarre Inc. before departing from the group in 1989 to team up with Chris Peat and launch Nexus 21.
The discussion then leads into their new connection with Neil Rushton of Network Records, who arranged for them to travel to Detroit. There, Mark and Chris were invited to work in Kevin Saunderson’s studio, where they recorded music and released tracks on Kevin's KMS imprint. Mark shares how Nexus 21 quickly gained momentum in the early 90s, with new releases on the Network before eventually evolving into Altern 8 - a project that became one of the biggest forces in the early 90s UK hardcore rave explosion.
The conversation then continues into the vibrant hardcore rave era, with touring in the US and UK, working with major labels like Virgin Records, and experiencing the subsequent decline of the hardcore rave scene - his shifted focus to producing house music, forming Slo-Moshun with Danny Weaver, releasing solo music as Trackman in the mid-90s, and his collaborative affair with Shadow Child under their M.A.S.C. alias on Super Rhythm Trax in the late teens of the millennium.
- Mark’s early days in Stafford, UK, exploring DJing and production.
- Blue Chip Records signing with Dean Meredith; released music under various aliases, including as part of Bizarre Inc.
- Departure from Bizarre Inc in 1989 to team up with Chris Peat and launch Nexus 21.
- Connection with Neil Rushton of Network Records, leading to a trip to Detroit.
- Invitation to work in Kevin Saunderson’s studio in Detroit, leading to a release on KMS.
- Nexus 21 gained momentum in the early 90s with releases on Network and R&S.
- Evolving into Altern 8, a major force in the UK hardcore rave explosion.
- Toured in the US and UK, working with major labels like Virgin Records.
- Shifted focus to producing house music: formed Slo-Moshun with Danny Weaver.
- Released solo music as Trackman in the mid-90s.
- Collaborated with Shadow Child under the M.A.S.C. alias on Super Rhythm Trax in the late teens of the millennium.
🎙️ Host: Adam X
👤 Guest: Mark Archer
🎬 Recording & Post-Production: Patrick DSP @ https://NeptuneMastering.com / Neptune Studios
📺 Published by Sonic Groove Podcast. 100% Human.
#TechnoPodcast #MarkArcher #Altern8 #Nexus21 #AdamX #ElectronicMusic #Trackman #Detroit #TechnoLegend